REPORT

PARLAMERICAS AND CANADA’S INVOLVEMENT

A. Background

ParlAmericas is an independent network composed of national legislatures that are members of the Organization of American States (OAS). Parliamentarians from across the hemisphere hold discussions and build relationships at ParlAmericas events held year-round.

ParlAmericas was constituted in 2001 at a meeting hosted by the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa. Since that time, ParlAmericas has established itself as a transparent, equitable, and diverse organization. It has gained a reputation as an influential forum for parliamentarians of the hemisphere, at a time when the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced strong economic growth and increased political stability.

The international branch of the organization is incorporated in Canada and remains the only interparliamentary forum to have its headquarters located in Ottawa. In response to Canada’s increasingly important relationship with the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean region, ParlAmericas has evolved its operations and striven to expand its outreach and regional role.

The Canadian section of ParlAmericas has, since the beginning, played a leading role in the organization. ParlAmericas provides Canadian parliamentarians with a forum for raising Canada’s profile in the hemisphere, promoting issues of importance to Canada, and engaging potential and longstanding hemispheric partners.

B. Participation by the Canadian Section Delegation at Meetings in Mexico

From 5 to 7 December 2016, ParlAmericas held its 13^th Annual Plenary Assembly, in conjunction with its 41^st Board of Directors Meeting, in Mexico City, Mexico. An all-party delegation comprised of five parliamentarians represented the Canadian section of ParlAmericas at this event. They were:

· the Hon. Robert D. Nault, M.P., Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas and Head of the Delegation;

· the Hon. Tobias C. Enverga Jr., Senator;

· the Hon. Mobina Jaffer, Senator;

· Mr. François Choquette, M.P.;

· Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P.; and

. Mr. Marc Serré, M.P.

MEETINGS HELD PRIOR TO THE 13^TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY

A. Meeting with Officials of Canada’s Embassy to Mexico

On 5 December 2016, the Canadian delegation met with Ms. Chantal Chastenay, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Canada, Ms. Virginie Lévesque, Counsellor (Economic Affairs), Embassy of Canada and Mr. Guy Boileau, Counsellor (Trade Policy), Embassy of Canada, for a working breakfast at the Hotel Sevilla Palace in Mexico City, Mexico.

The delegation heard from the Embassy officials that Canada and Mexico have a strong and productive bilateral relationship, with links that continue to grow. Mexico is one of three countries in the hemisphere that Canada has designated as a priority country for engagement. It is Canada’s fourth largest trade partner, with two-way trade between the countries exceeding $36 billion per year in 2015.

The officials told the delegation that an initiative to hold high level dialogues had recently been launched, provided an update on the visa requirement formerly in place for Mexican citizens seeking to visit Canada, and discussed the economic and trade partnership between the two countries, including energy reform initiatives, Canada’s work with PEMEX (Mexican Petroleums) and areas of challenges and opportunities in the economic relationship. The officials briefed the delegation on matters regarding indigenous people in Mexico and on the outlook of the country’s environment.

Other issues noted by Embassy officials included that Mexico’s economy had experienced a recent slowdown in investment and that the Canada-Mexico seasonal agricultural partnership, in existence for 42 years, was well-regarded by both countries and provided an important source of remittances for workers participating in the program. Further, officials provided information to the delegation about Mexico’s relationship with Central America in respect of the recent wave of migrants, including unaccompanied minors, arriving at Mexico’s southern border and needing support.

B. Parliamentary Training Session

Later on 5 December 2016, members of the Canadian delegation who are not members of the ParlAmericas board of directors attended a full-day parliamentary training session hosted by the Senate of the Republic of Mexico, entitled “Maximizing the use of technology to improve communication with constituents.”

The session was led by Dr. Maurice McNaughton, University of the West Indies, and featured presentations by Mr. Sebastian De Lara, Navegacion Politica, and Mr. Garreth Ferguson, Information Systems Manager, Office of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament. It concluded with a live online forum that linked participants in the training session by video with civil society groups viewing the session online.

Dr. McNaughton opened the session by noting that, currently, many of society’s established institutions, including legislatures, were having to consider how to adapt their rules, practices and structures in order to remain relevant in an age of rapid advances in digital media and information communication technology. He told the participants in the session that online social media platforms often bring together large segments of the global population. For example, if Facebook were a country, it would be the second largest in the world, with a population of 1.5 billion citizens. He indicated that the session would explore the different ways parliamentarians could use technology to connect and engage with their constituents online.

Mr. De Lara told the participants that parliamentarians ought to use social media to connect with the growing number of citizens, groups and communities that had adopted social media as their preferred means for communicating with others. He said the purpose of communicating with constituents through social media was to get them to believe what you believe. He cited the fireside radio broadcasts by former United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s as an example of using communication technology to effectively reach constituents.

Mr. De Lara compared four different social media platforms, providing commentary about the uses of each from the viewpoint of their usage by parliamentarians. He noted that, among other things, in his view, Facebook allowed a parliamentarian to demonstrate his or her human side, Twitter was a faster means of communicating to constituents but less personal, Instagram could be used to portray a parliamentarian in his or her “best light” and Snapchat is employed by a large segment of younger people. He also noted that placing music playlists on Spotify was a good way to allow constituents to feel closer to a parliamentarian.

In the ensuing discussion, participants raised that it was more common on social media for women to be the target of negative comments; that social media, while important, is but one component of a broader communication or campaign strategy; and that to stand out on social media, messages needed to be unique and personal.

Mr. Ferguson’s presentation dealt with considerations for designing open and engaging parliamentary websites. In broad terms, he told participants in the session that the important factors when designing a parliamentary website were establishing clear and achievable goals, giving the designers a realistic time frame in which to deliver the product, and securing an adequate budget.

With respect to parliamentary websites, he told participants that key features should include easy navigation, accessibility for all users, ability to perform on different technological platforms, option for user to access audio and video of chamber and committee proceedings and a portal for educational information about Parliament and its proceedings.

The day-long session concluded with a tutorial on how live online forums can connect parliamentarians to stakeholders using the internet. Parliamentarians then took part in a live online forum, fielding questions from civil society groups, including Open North, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, Apathy is Boring and the Transnational Institute. The discussion covered topics that ranged from civics education programs in schools, mechanisms to increase public trust in parliaments and engage youth, and parliamentarians and the media.

C. 41_st Meeting of the Board of Directors

1. Inauguration of the Meeting

Welcoming remarks were provided by Ms. Marcela Guerra, Senator (Mexico) and President of ParlAmericas, followed by remarks by Mr. José Marco Antonio Olvera Acevedo, Senator (Mexico) and Member of the Board. The agenda for the meeting was adopted and the report on the 40^th Board of Directors meeting was approved.

2. Updates from the Executives of the Board

Ms. Guerra provided the board with a briefing on the following topics: renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Organization of American States (OAS); the meeting she had with the Interdevelopmental Bank; the meeting she had with the World Bank; and provided a report with respect to the ParlAmericas Observation Mission to the U.S. Elections.

A report was then presented to the Board by Mr. Javier Ortega, Member of the Chamber of Deputies (Panama) and member of the Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, about the Climate Change Network meeting held in Panama. Following this, Ms. Gina Godoy, Member of the National Assembly (Ecuador) and President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians presented the report from the Ecuador Gathering of women parliamentarians, reported on the Guatemala working session entitled “The Journey of the Candidate in Central America” and the meeting in Ottawa on building Gender Caucuses in the Caribbean and Canada, raised the issue of a proposed title change of the executive committee, and discussed upcoming activities. Lastly, a report was presented on the Open Parliament Network’s (OPN) activities, including a presentation of the OPN Road Map Report and the Chile study visit, the MOU signed between ParlAmericas and the Latin American Transparency Network, a presentation on the proposed structure of the executive committee for the Network, and a report on upcoming activities.

3. Other Agenda Items

Update from the OAS: A discussion among Board members was led by Mr. Francisco Guerrero, Secretary for the Strengthening Democracy Secretariat, Ex officio Member of the ParlAmericas Board, about current priorities and work of the OAS.

Updates from Members of the Board: All members of the Board were afforded the opportunity to share news about their activities since the last Board Meeting.

Update on the Plenary Assembly and Board Elections: The Agenda for the Plenary Assembly was reviewed, a briefing was provided on the rules and procedures for the Plenary Assembly, an update was given regarding nominations to the Board of Directors, and an overview was provided of membership payments received from member countries.

Report from the International Secretariat: A financial update was provided to Board members, along with an update about International Secretariat office space.

Other Business: a strategic planning discussion was held regarding ParlAmericas’ growth and sustainability and calendar of activities for 2017 were reviewed.

A. Introduction

The 13^th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas was held at the Senate of the Republic of Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, from 5 to 7 December 2016. The theme for discussion of the Assembly was strengthening parliaments and building resilient societies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Assembly was attended by over 50 parliamentarians from more than 20 countries, representing all of the ParlAmericas’ sub-regions (North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America).

B. Official Inauguration

On 6 December 2016, delegates attended the official inauguration, held in the Permanent Commission Hall in the Senate of the Republic of Mexico. Welcoming remarks were provided by the following speakers: Ms. Marcela Guerra, Senator (Mexico) and President of ParlAmericas, Ms. Claudia Ruiz Massieu, Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Mexico), Dr. Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa, Head of Government of Mexico City, Mr. Javier Bolaños, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico and Mr. Pablo Escudero, President of the Senate of Mexico. Dr. Luis Almagro Lemes, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, provided the keynote address.

Ms. Guerrara told delegates about the importance of a unified hemispheric approach to dealing with common issues. She underlined the importance of democratic ideals, the shared values of inclusiveness and equality, and providing economic and social opportunities for citizens. Mr. Escudero provided comments on the importance of multilateralism, societal inclusion and global dialogue. Mr. Bolaños discussed the challenges communities and institutions must overcome in order to help to implement the SDGs and the important role that parliamentarians can play in this effort. Mr. Almagro concluded the inauguration by providing the delegates with wide-ranging comments on a number of topics, including the importance of cooperation, social economic progress that includes equality, capacity building, the rule of law, parliamentary diplomacy, accessible and open democratic institutions, and striving to find collective solutions.

C. Parliamentary Dialogue: First Efforts to Implement the SDGs in Parliaments

On 6 December 2016, the first working session of the Plenary Assembly was held in the Senate of the Republic of Mexico. Prior to its start, delegates were provided with information on past ParlAmericas activities and working groups. The speakers were Ms. Guerrera, Ms. Godoy, Mr. Hernán Larraín, Senator (Chile) and President of the Open Parliament Network by video, and Mr. Ortega.

Mr. Guerrera provided a summary of recent ParlAmericas workshops and events. She indicated that ParlAmericas had increased its activities over the past year and that she held an interest in growing the organization. Ms. Godoy gave an update on the work and priorities of the group of women. She noted the group had partnered in recent times with the United Nations (UN) and National Democratic Institute, and continued to work on assisting countries in the hemisphere to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Mr. Ortega gave background information to delegates about the Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, and reviewed the recommended actions countries ought to take to help combat climate change.

Following these opening remarks, a delegate from each country in attendance provided a short oral report about the steps their country had taken, and intended to take, in order to implement the SDGs, along with the structures in place to monitor progress. As background, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015. Since then, parliaments from different countries around the world have begun to take steps to implement the 17 SDGs and develop measures to monitor progress.

Below is a brief summary of the reports presented by the countries that participated in this exercise.

· Antigua: each government Minister is responsible for programs to implement the SDGs; priority issues included poverty reduction and measures to protect against drought.

· Bahamas: the country has established a national development plan covering up to 2040; currently, priorities are being established through wide consultation.

· Belize: measures related to combatting climate change and improving the education system are the priorities.

· Bolivia: noted progress achieved by the Millennium Development Goals; noted this progress will continue, especially in relation to protecting forested areas.

· Canada: Mr. Nault told delegates that Canada’s government had tabled in Parliament its strategy for sustainable development for the years 2016 to 2019. Canada considers the SDGs as an opportunity to take concrete steps to make Canada one of the greenest countries in the world and to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

· Chile: the report focussed on measures taken to meet SDG16, including improving the legal regimes related to access to information, transparency and accountability.

· Colombia: provided an update on the peace accord reached in the country. Reforms were to be implemented to reintegrate former guerrillas into society, provide rural assistance, and increase political participation.

· Costa Rica: the Parliament is monitoring progress on the SDGs. The focus of the report was on SDG 16, noting that efforts were being made to improve transparency through an online open government portal.

· Cuba: the country has put in place a social and economic development plan that covers up until 2030. Priorities for the country are human development, social equality, stewardship of natural resources, and investments in infrastructure.

· Dominican Republic: parliamentary committees will perform an important monitoring role. It was noted that priorities for future legislation related to the SDGs included improving gender equality, investing in border control and universal education and health, and reducing domestic violence.

· Ecuador: provided a description of government investments over the past decade. It was noted that the country’s current priorities are to reduce poverty, unemployment, and increase food security.

· Guatemala: described legislative advancements made in respect of water preservation, waste management, pollution childcare, electoral reforms and child bride prevention.

Jamaica: the country has a vision 2030 national plan, encompassing a variety of principles. The priorities for the country are debt reduction and expanding the economy to mitigate against costs of natural disasters.

· Mexico: in 2017, steps will be taken to put in place the legal and financial framework to implement the SDGs. Also, parliamentary committees will monitor and support progress towards achieving all SDGs.

· Nicaragua: several laws were passed this year that relate to SDG implementation. Also, a group of parliamentary committee chairs will convene to decide how to monitor compliance.

· Peru: the social development SDGs are the priority. Also, a parliamentary committee was created to monitor compliance.

· Saint Lucia: the SDGs form part of the government’s priorities; stakeholder consultation had begun to determine a long-term national strategy.

· Suriname: several standing committees were working to monitor achievement of the SDGs.

· Trinidad and Tobago: a national development strategy had been created by cabinet, based on consultation with Parliament; a register of experts willing to give advice to standing committees was being created.

· Venezuela: the country is currently experiencing a period of instability that has led to a number of social and economic problems. It was noted that several laws were before the legislature that relate to SDG implementation.

D. Indicators and Mechanisms for Monitoring and Evaluating the SDGs

On 7 December 2016, the delegates heard three presentations about the supervisory role parliaments and parliamentarians can play in supporting the adoption of the SDGs. Parliaments must work with governments to develop country indicators that measure compliance with the SDGs, set achievable SDG priorities and produce analyzable data. The moderator for the discussion was Mr. José Marco Antonio Olvera Acevedo, Senator (Mexico) and ParlAmericas Board Member. The presentations were given by Mr. Luis Fidel Yáñez, Officer in Charge, Secretariat of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Livia Bizikova, Director of Knowledge for Integrated Decisions, International Institute for Sustainable Development, and Mr. Javier González, Director of Democratic Governance, United Nations Development Program, Mexico.

Mr. Yáñez compared the scope and purpose of the MDGs to the SDGs. He told delegates that going forward, each year, groups of different Latin American countries are scheduled to provide reports on their progress with respect to meeting the SDGs. Mr. Yáñez noted that, at present, there was no country in the world that possessed the technical capacity to measure 100% of the SDG indicators; these would take time to develop. He discussed the challenges that countries would encounter in gaining the expertise required to meet and measure their SDG commitments, noting that sufficient budgetary funds would be required along with international collaboration, information sharing and cooperation.

Dr. Bizikova provided information to the delegates about approaches countries could adopt to begin to implement and monitor the SDGs. With 17 broad goals and 169 total targets with defined indicators, she noted that the process to implement the SDGs for each country would necessarily be a large and costly undertaking, but nonetheless a critical one. She told delegates it would be important for countries to broaden citizen engagement in the process, and increase public interest, awareness and acceptance in the implementation of the SDGs. Further, most countries already monitor and collect data on numerous aspects of the SDGs; her advice was for countries to build on their existing statistical infrastructure while investing in measures to bridge the gap between current measures and the indicators proposed by the UN.

Mr. Javier González’s presentation covered the role of parliaments and parliamentarians in implementing the SDGs. He reviewed the subject matter of numerous SDGs and noted that in many countries, existing standing parliamentary committees could be tasked with reviewing the implementation of the SDGs; in other cases, special monitoring committees could be established by the legislature to carry out this role.

Mr. González indicated that legislatures needed to improve public consultation and accountability, increase links to civil society and stakeholders and ensure that adequate budgetary funding is provided to implement the goals. Legislatures needed to create priorities as part of an overall implementation plan; he discussed the steps taken and progress made by Mexico in creating and implementing its plan.

E. Roundtable Work: Opportunities for Achieving Goals 16.6 and 16.7

During this exercise, the delegates were divided into numerous small groups and given 25 minutes to brainstorm responses to the following three discussion topics:

· in your country, describe the processes in place to allow for public consultation and participation in the drafting of laws;

· do these measures allow for the participation of vulnerable or underrepresented groups? and

· what new practices could be established to improve inclusiveness of the legislative process and how can the existing process be improved?

In response to the first topic, delegates noted that in their respective jurisdictions the following processes were in place: popular initiatives (or laws proposed by citizens), private members’ bills, public hearings, pre-legislative consultations or input from stakeholders prior to and during drafting stages, and workshops hosted by Parliament with stakeholders.

With respect to the second topic, delegates noted the following measures were in place in their respective jurisdictions: parliamentary committee hearings, temporary senators appointed for their expertise on a specific matter, petitions, youth parliaments, and the consultation process undertaken by governmental departments and cabinet ministers.

Lastly, delegates provided the following responses to the third topic: electronic petitions, increased use of digital media and information communication technology, establishing mechanisms to allow the public to follow-up regarding their input, the use of plebiscites, review by standing committees of legislation, and support from professional, full-time, independent staff.

F. Official Closing of the Plenary Assembly

As part of closing the Plenary Assembly, the results of the Board of Directors election were announced. Notably, among the 11 vacant positions filled, Mr. Nault was unanimously elected Vice President of Board of Directors, while Sen. Jaffer was unanimously elected as a Vice President of the Group of Women Parliamentarians.

Lastly, a declaration capturing topics discussed during the Assembly (see Appendix) was read and agreed to by delegates; Colombia offered to host the 14^th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas in 2017; and closing remarks were provided by Ms. Guerra.

Respectfully submitted,

Hon. Robert Nault, M.P.

Chair

Canadian Section of ParlAmericas